Portugal provides the perfect wedding location for romantics, adventurers, luxury lovers and traditional souls and more and more people are travelling to Portugal for this reason.
The countries landscapes are amazing and the climate is among the warmest in Europe but other than that, Portugal is a country with an amazing heritage. Small rural villages hidden in surprising landscapes, large cultural manor houses that pay homage to Portugal’s rich and royal past, sporty adventures on its shores and diverse landscapes, modern and classic luxury hotels some that rank among the world’s best, architectural landmarks that cover thousands of years of history and so much more.
The legislation concerning marriage is one of openness and tolerance. Same sex marriages are fully legal, civil and church marriages are available and Portuguese marriage documents are legitimate and binding in most countries in the world.
Luxury travel and event travel to Portugal is possibly the fastest growing market as all conditions for it exist in such multitude and price/quality balance is considerably high when compared to other European locations.
Portugal is a romantic country, its language tends to sound like a song rolling in with the waves on its magnificent shores and its architecture and views create an unequalled intimacy that could turn even the toughest soul into a lyrical poet.
Portugal has a long coast line with many fantastic beaches so many that a lot are deserted places of great beauty making memorable settings for special events.
Many of its Manor houses, Pousada hotels and Palaces make historical settings that once where occupied by Portuguese and European royalty now open to anyone who wants to have a commemorative royal event.
What do you need to get married in Portugal
To get married in Portugal you will need to abide to Portuguese laws on marriage.
. Birth certificates, issue date may not be older than 6 months
. Copies of your passports
. A declaration issued by your local authorities that confirms that you are eligible for marriage
If one or both have had prior marriages divorce documents or death certificates need to be included.
Minimum age for marriage without parental consent is 18, 16 and 17 need parental consent.
One of the parties must reside in Portugal for at least 30 days before a license can be requested. *this rule is no longer valid or necessary,.
Weddings may not be conducted by the consulates and may only be conducted according to the Portuguese law.
Marriage documents obtained in Portugal are legal in all European countries and in most countries in the world, if in doubt contact the legal entity in your country.
For church weddings you will need baptismal records of both parties.
US citizens can check the rules and regulation at their consulate website http://azores.usconsulate.gov/marriage-info.html
These rules are general and count for allt international citizens who want to marry in Portugal.
Same sex marriages are legal in Portugal since 2010.
All necessary documents need to be translated by an official translator, who will have the translation certified by the Portuguese Notary
A good wedding planner will help you with this entire process.
Take into consideration
Portuguese weddings are conducted in Portuguese, if you don’t understand the language you are obliged to have a translator during the entire ceremony.
Where to marry in Portugal The Algarve and Lisbon are very popular destinations for weddings, however before you determine your location, first you should determine what type of wedding you want, what type of budget you have and what type of location suits your dreams. Are you dreaming of a royal palace overlooking vineyards, sea views or mountains or do you prefer a modern location in a town with many restaurants, bars and night live.
Are you beach people, adventurers or do you love history and culture, A wedding is a very personal event that should fully fit your personalities and it should leave you with many cherished, happy memories.
A beach wedding in the Algarve can take up to a year to plan as it is a very popular theme with young couples wanting to marry in Portugal, however Portugal has many beaches along the west coast that provide conditions as good as the Algarve without the tourist crowds.
Quintas (Manor houses) with the right conditions are many spread all over the country allow a wedding planner to advice you based on your preferences and budget the right location for your wedding.
Go Discover Portugal partners with the best wedding planners in Portugal who can help you plan your best day. Drop us a line or use the form to let us know who you are and what your preferences are and we will try to find you the perfect match!
Whether you are Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Protestant or of no religion – in a man / man, woman / man or woman / woman relationship that you want to seal with marriage, you are traditional thinkers or you want something completely different on your big day, in Portugal its possible.
Go Discover Portugal is an online magazine providing independent and objective articles about Portugal and a customized travel planning service run by real people using experience, Portugal knowledge, corporate and creative backgrounds, computers, cars and telephones We partner with talented professional event planners that provide us and you with their professional expertise so that you will have the perfect event, be it team building, corporate events, bachelor or hen parties and weddings.